The throne hall was crowded, unlike the usual days. Some of the high seats in the gallery were empty. More and more people continued to walk in. Felista was seated on the throne seat with Roselyn standing by her side. She was yet to be crowned queen so Felista was the Queen regent meanwhile.

The double doors swung open, all eyes turning to that side. The murmurs in the throne hall slowly died, all prying eyes shifted to that side.

"His Majesty, King Alexander of Valoria and Her Majesty, Queen Isadora of Crescia," the herald announced.

From the door emerged the couple. Isadora was dressed in a golden gown that swept across the floor, and for once, Alexander was dressed like a king, and not a knight. He wore black pants and a golden coat that shone brightly. His hair was perfectly combed, and with two Valorian and two Crescian knights trailing behind them, each with their kingdoms’ knights armour on, the entry looked grand. And to Roselyn’s surprise, one of the Valorian knights was Sir Brandon, and one of the Crescian knights was Lord Newton.

Alexander held Isadora’s hand. She was slightly shaking at the number of eyes on her. All her life, she had lived more of a knight than a princess. The number of gazes on her made her feel uncomfortable.

"Don’t look at them," Alexander whispered in her ear. He led her down the aisle until they halted right in front of Felista.

"Your Majesty," he greeted making little to no effort to bow. Isadora had her eyes casted on the floor all the while.

Felista nodded at him and Alexander led Isadora to the seats designated to them beside the Queen. He looked at Roselyn who was quick to avert her eyes from him.

"Bring them in," Felista instructed once the couple had settled. The double doors swung open and Valorian knights brought in three men tied in chains. Blood took the better part of their faces.

"What did you do to them?" Felista asked, turning to face Alexander.

"Just a little questioning, nothing much," Alexander replied. He didn’t see how furious Felista was but she was quick to mask it with a smile. Alexander was taking matters in his hands yet this was her kingdom! She was clearly not happy.

The prisoners were brought before Felista and forced to kneel.

"The men brought before you, Your Majesty, have been accused of treason and justice is demanded," Lord Augustus said. "Together with King Griffin, they conspired to overthrow the rightful heir to the Crescian throne and even attempted to kill you and Her Highness, princess Roselyn."

The hall fell silent for a while before Felista rose to speak. "Do you plead guilty of your crimes?" She asked.

"No, your Majesty," one of the council members replied. Felista nodded at the knight by the door who in turn opened. Commander Harris stepped in looking in good condition than the last time Alexander had seen him. He had released him after confessing so the change was relatable.

"Commander Harris," Lord Augustus called. "These men stand before Her Majesty accused of conspiring against the Crescian crown. Do you know anything concerning this matter?"

"Your Majesty," he bowed. He saw Alexander lean forward from his seat as if waiting for him to lie before he’d execute him.

"These men here gave me a direct order to attack the Crescian capital and overthrow her Majesty."

"Yet you defied her order when she told you to retreat," Felista added. Commander Harris turned mute at that.

"I was just following orders, Your Majesty," he explained.

"Whose order is paramount Commander Harris. One from the crown or one from the council?" Roselyn asked.

"The council told us that you were no longer a princess of Arcadia, Your Highness," he defended himself.

"You may leave." Harris nodded, and after throwing a glance at Alexander, he left the throne hall.

"Call the next witness," Lord Augustus instructed. The door opened and one of the council members walked in.

"Lord Atticus. You have served the crown and my husband well."

"Indeed Your Majesty," he answered, bowing slightly. His head was bald, not a single strand of hair visible.

"These Lords stand accused of treason. You were there when they made these decisions. What do you have to say for yourself?" Felista asked.

"Indeed Your Majesty. It is well known that the council should act in the best interest of the crown in absence of the royal family, which was the case for us. But these men had an hidden agenda, and you know better than anyone else that majority wins in the decisions made by the council. I was in the minority," he explained.

"Your witness has been received my Lord. You may now leave." The council member bowed and walked out.

Felista sat on the throne hall with the council members looking at her in fear.

"With the power bestowed to me as the Queen of Arcadia, I find these men guilty of treason and thereby sentence them to death!" She declared. The crowd raptured in murmuring, the once silent hall turning noisy.

"Mercy Your Majesty," Lord Festus begged. "Show mercy to your servants."

"Did you think of the Crescians who died in my city?" Isadora asked, unable to take it anymore. "By your order, Arcadian knights torched houses in my kingdom, women running around the city screaming at the top of their lungs. Did your knights show mercy to them?"

And turning to Felista,"Where is Crescia left in all this? I demand justice from the crown."

"And justice you’ll get," Felista said.

"I want these men executed by Crescian law," she demanded.

"That is not possible Your Majesty," Lord Augustus replied. "They are Arcadians and shall be executed by the laws of these lands."

"If that’s the case, then Crescia will consider Arcadia our enemy who plotted to overthrow me from the crown," she declared.

Silence momentarily reigned the hall, a now standing Isadora standing her ground. Alexander didn’t say anything. He just watched, enjoying the little fight between the two queens.

"I heed to your request, Your Majesty." Everyone turned to look at the speaker, surprise written all over their faces.